Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has said Covid-19 is a “cruel virus” and that everyone is “feeling anger” as it has emerged that NPHET wants pubs to close at 5pm.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to fly back to Ireland on Friday morning and a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Covid-19 will be held.
NPHET members including Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn and modelling Professor Philip Nolan are expected to go through their latest advice with a number of Cabinet Ministers.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said a full Cabinet meeting will take place later on Friday and the Taoiseach is expected to make an announcement.
Representatives of the hospitality industry have been left shocked and frustrated at NPHET’s latest recommendation to close pubs and restaurants at 5pm from next Monday.
Dr Holohan in his letter to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said all large gatherings should be curtailed - which may impact weddings.
He wants cultural gatherings to not take place after 5pm too such as theatres and cinemas.
NPHET also wants the Government to scale back on capacity at large outdoor gatherings which may have major implications for upcoming sporting events.
Tanáiste Leo Varadkar took to Twitter on Friday and said: “We’re all feeling anger, frustration, dismay, depression but that cannot deflect us from making the right decisions to keep our people safe.
“420 in hospital today.
“Down 40% from peak a few weeks ago.
“We were winning the fight against Delta now Omicron is coming when we are at our most vulnerable - winter, Christmas, flu season.
“It’s a cruel virus.”
A number of other public representatives have reacted to the 5pm curfew for pubs with Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers tweeting: “5pm closing for hospitality means many rural pubs can’t open at all as they often only open in the evening.
“People will socialise at home.
“Surely it's better and safer to have regulated spaces like bars and restaurants?”
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